Low force valves for drug delivery pumps

Abstract

Disclosed are examples of valve systems and methods of operating the respective valve systems. An example valve system may include a valve body, an inlet component, an outlet component and a valve tube. The valve body may include a first void and a second void. The inlet component may be coupled to the first void and the outlet component may be coupled to the second void. The valve tube may include a side port and may be positioned through the valve body and coupled to the first void, the inlet component, the second void, and the outlet component. Other valve system examples may include including a valve body, a first septum, a second septum, a first piston, a second piston and a tube. The disclosed methods describe the interaction of the respective components of the respective valve system example.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A valve system for a drug delivery device, comprising:
 a valve body comprising a first void and a second void; 
 an inlet component coupled to the first void; 
 an outlet component coupled to the second void and a fluid path component, wherein the fluid path component includes a cannula; 
 a valve tube coupled to the first void, the inlet component, the second void, and the outlet component, the valve tube comprising a side port, wherein: 
 the valve body is formed from an elastomeric material and 
 the valve tube is positioned by piercing the valve tube through the valve body to create a seal around the valve tube. 
 
     
     
       2. The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet component is coupled to a reservoir storing a fluid. 
     
     
       3. The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve system is configured to be coupled to a pump head. 
     
     
       4. The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the side port of the valve tube further comprises:
 a first opening and a second opening. 
 
     
     
       5. The valve system of  claim 3 , wherein the pump head comprises a pump piston and a pump chamber, wherein the valve tube is coupled to the pump chamber. 
     
     
       6. The valve system of  claim 5 , wherein during a first stage of operation, the side port is aligned with the inlet component. 
     
     
       7. The valve system of  claim 6 , wherein during a second subsequent stage of operation, the pump piston is moved in a first direction to draw a fluid from a reservoir, into the inlet component, into the first void, into the valve tube, and into the pump chamber. 
     
     
       8. The valve system of  claim 7 , wherein during a third subsequent stage of operation, the valve body is moved to align the side port with the outlet component. 
     
     
       9. The valve system of  claim 8 , wherein during a fourth subsequent stage of operation, the pump piston is moved in a second, opposite direction to push the fluid in the pump chamber out through the valve tube, out through the second void, out through the outlet component, and out to a fluid path component. 
     
     
       10. The valve system of  claim 4 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are axially aligned with one another on opposite sides of the tube valve. 
     
     
       11. A system, comprising:
 a valve system, the valve system comprising: 
 a valve body comprising a first void and a second void; 
 an inlet component coupled to the first void; 
 an outlet component coupled to the second void; and 
 a valve tube pierced through the valve body and coupled to the first void, the inlet component, the second void, and the outlet component, wherein the valve tube comprises a side port; and 
 a pump head comprising a pump piston and a pump chamber, wherein the valve tube is coupled to the pump chamber, wherein: 
 the valve body is formed from an elastomeric material, and the valve tube is positioned by piercing the valve tube through the valve body to create a 
 seal around the valve tube. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the valve tube is operable to be moved to:
 a first position within the valve body to align the side port to the inlet component when fluid is available to the inlet component to be drawn into the inlet component, and a second position within the valve body to align the side port to the outlet component when fluid is to be pushed out of the valve system to the outlet component for delivery of the fluid. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the valve tube further includes a closed end opposite the pump chamber and the closed end of the valve tube extends outside of the valve body. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the pump piston is configured to draw fluid into the valve tube and to push the fluid from the pump chamber into the valve tube. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the side port of the valve tube further comprises:
 a first opening and a second opening. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the valve tube is operable to be completely closed off from the inlet component and the outlet component when transitioning between the inlet component and the outlet component. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are axially aligned with one another on opposite sides of the tube valve.